Rate My Professor Steven Turnbull

Steven Turnbull serves as the inaugural Chief Digital Officer at the University of Otago, within Digital Services under Information Technology Services and the Office of the Chief Operating Officer. In this strategic leadership role, he is responsible for the effective and efficient provision of information technology services to the University. He provides professional, strategic, and administrative leadership in the areas of strategy, policy, and innovation in the use of ICT to support teaching, research, and administration. Turnbull cultivates an organisational culture that fosters collaboration and leads high-performing teams in deploying innovative digital solutions through strategic partnerships. He serves as the key contact for the University's AI Governance Policy. His inclusive leadership style, emphasis on team culture, and dedication to driving positive change have established him as a respected leader in education technology with a proven track record of navigating complex transformations.

Turnbull brings over 23 years of experience in education technology, having progressed through roles such as Network Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Infrastructure Manager, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Chief Digital Officer. Prior to his appointment at the University of Otago in 2024, he was Chief Digital Officer at Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, leading digital transformation initiatives for the nation's largest tertiary provider, which supports 270,000 students and 14,000 staff nationwide. There, he developed an integrated digital model, implemented best-practice tools and processes, and managed organisational changes under challenging conditions including remote work and tight timelines. Previously, as Chief Information Officer at Otago Polytechnic, he built a high-performing IT team that earned finalist status in the national CIO Best Team Culture Award within three years, demonstrating exceptional openness, support, and resilience during staff reduction pressures. Turnbull also owned and operated Technology Leadership, his consultancy business offering CIO and CISO services to local and national organisations. He holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from Otago Polytechnic. Beyond his professional career, he has dedicated over 25 years to Fire and Emergency New Zealand as a volunteer firefighter, advancing to Senior Station Officer and regional trainer, applying crisis management skills to leadership.